BOSS Eddie Howe has praised Brett Pitman's work ethic during pre-season and insists the door is still open for the striker to play a “big part” in Cherries' future.

Pitman has netted four times in a fruitful warm-up campaign, his exploits helping Cherries to victories over Dorchester, Eastleigh and Portsmouth.

The Jerseyman was a key figure in the club's rise from the depths of League Two to the Championship, leading the goal charts during their two promotions in 2010 and 2013.

Re-signed by Howe from Bristol City in November 2012, Pitman has plundered more than 100 career goals and is Cherries' fifth highest league marksman.

But while Howe's team enjoyed a memorable season in the Championship, Pitman experienced mixed fortunes as Cherries registered a club-best 10th-placed finish.

The 26-year-old started 11 of their first 18 league games but only one of the next 28 - at Blackpool in March. He scored five times in the Championship and also came off the bench on 22 occasions.

Howe, who had Lewis Grabban spearheading the Cherries attack last season, bolstered his striking resources by signing Yann Kermorgant in January and Callum Wilson last month.

However, despite mounting competition for places, Howe says Pitman is still very much in his plans and has tasked the frontman with giving him a pleasant selection dilemma.

Howe told the Daily Echo: “I think Brett has been excellent in pre-season. His performances have reflected his training where he has put in a tireless shift. He has come back fitter than I have probably seen him in a long time and he really looked after himself over the summer.

“He looks like he has a point to prove and long may that continue. The challenge for Brett is to maintain this form and physical condition because it will give him a really good chance to be involved with us and play a big part in our future.”

Howe added: “Everyone was given an opportunity last season and everyone was given a chance. The platform is their games and, when they get their chances, they have to take them and Brett would fall into that category.

“He is a player I admire and have always admired. He has a great affinity with the club. He has done very well for us in our past and the door is open for him to do well in our future. The rest is down to him.”

Pitman is expected to be given another chance to impress when Cherries continue their pre-season friendly programme with a visit from Swansea City tonight (7.45pm).

Comments

TedMacsCherryPants
7:30am Fri 1 Aug 14

It’s great to have players around with some history at the club and Brett certainly has that.

4 pre-season goals despite the opposition is a good start and another (disallowed) on the Saints ‘big-day-out’ is very encouraging. If Brett can perform I still feel we owe him game-time for the goals that got us into this league.

I’ve heard a few people saying Brett is looking leaner and fitter this season and if he can push for a place sounds like good news to me. Rather than going to the expense of bringing in new blood if we can utilise the skills of the players we already have it’s got to be a win, win situation.

All the best for the season Pitbull, go sniff those goals out!
UTMC

It’s great to have players around with some history at the club and Brett certainly has that.
4 pre-season goals despite the opposition is a good start and another (disallowed) on the Saints ‘big-day-out’ is very encouraging. If Brett can perform I still feel we owe him game-time for the goals that got us into this league.
I’ve heard a few people saying Brett is looking leaner and fitter this season and if he can push for a place sounds like good news to me. Rather than going to the expense of bringing in new blood if we can utilise the skills of the players we already have it’s got to be a win, win situation.
All the best for the season Pitbull, go sniff those goals out!
UTMCTedMacsCherryPants

It’s great to have players around with some history at the club and Brett certainly has that.

4 pre-season goals despite the opposition is a good start and another (disallowed) on the Saints ‘big-day-out’ is very encouraging. If Brett can perform I still feel we owe him game-time for the goals that got us into this league.

I’ve heard a few people saying Brett is looking leaner and fitter this season and if he can push for a place sounds like good news to me. Rather than going to the expense of bringing in new blood if we can utilise the skills of the players we already have it’s got to be a win, win situation.

All the best for the season Pitbull, go sniff those goals out!
UTMC

Score: 20

Afcbpete
7:58am Fri 1 Aug 14

Brett showed little or nothing of the form that he had when he helped get us promoted. I really felt the time had come for him to move. Yet from what I've been told, he looks leaner and meaner, which seems to be showing in his pre season, perhaps he's got the message, and is out to turn his game around. I certainly hope so, some of the goals he scored in the lower leagues for us were sublime, yet he couldn't replicate that in The Championship, perhaps he's given less time. But I certainly wish him well for the coming season, because an in form Brett would be well worth having around!!! UTCIAD

Brett showed little or nothing of the form that he had when he helped get us promoted. I really felt the time had come for him to move. Yet from what I've been told, he looks leaner and meaner, which seems to be showing in his pre season, perhaps he's got the message, and is out to turn his game around. I certainly hope so, some of the goals he scored in the lower leagues for us were sublime, yet he couldn't replicate that in The Championship, perhaps he's given less time. But I certainly wish him well for the coming season, because an in form Brett would be well worth having around!!! UTCIADAfcbpete

Brett showed little or nothing of the form that he had when he helped get us promoted. I really felt the time had come for him to move. Yet from what I've been told, he looks leaner and meaner, which seems to be showing in his pre season, perhaps he's got the message, and is out to turn his game around. I certainly hope so, some of the goals he scored in the lower leagues for us were sublime, yet he couldn't replicate that in The Championship, perhaps he's given less time. But I certainly wish him well for the coming season, because an in form Brett would be well worth having around!!! UTCIAD

Score: 9

WHYNOT
9:19am Fri 1 Aug 14

If Brett had played the amount of games Grabbon did last season he would have scored more than 22 goals that Grabbon got

If Brett had played the amount of games Grabbon did last season he would have scored more than 22 goals that Grabbon gotWHYNOT

If Brett had played the amount of games Grabbon did last season he would have scored more than 22 goals that Grabbon got

Score: 6

mark.s
8:39am Fri 1 Aug 14

His goal per game time last season was still pretty solid, he has plenty to give us at this level.

His goal per game time last season was still pretty solid, he has plenty to give us at this level.mark.s

His goal per game time last season was still pretty solid, he has plenty to give us at this level.

Score: 8

eaststandman
8:47am Fri 1 Aug 14

Brett Pitman has scored 20 odd goals in the Championship and his two goaline clearances alone last season saved this club 5 points.....also in my opinion he would have buried 50% of the missed chances last season- had he been on the pitch.

He's not the fastest but is intelligent. No striker can score goals sat on the bench. I think Brett and TK will grab a few goals for us this season.

There aren't many strikers would have tracked back like Pitman to do a an overhead bicycle kick goaline clearance on a cold dark evening at Turf Moor that I witnessed last year..............

Brett Pitman has scored 20 odd goals in the Championship and his two goaline clearances alone last season saved this club 5 points.....also in my opinion he would have buried 50% of the missed chances last season- had he been on the pitch.
He's not the fastest but is intelligent. No striker can score goals sat on the bench. I think Brett and TK will grab a few goals for us this season.
There aren't many strikers would have tracked back like Pitman to do a an overhead bicycle kick goaline clearance on a cold dark evening at Turf Moor that I witnessed last year..............eaststandman

Brett Pitman has scored 20 odd goals in the Championship and his two goaline clearances alone last season saved this club 5 points.....also in my opinion he would have buried 50% of the missed chances last season- had he been on the pitch.

He's not the fastest but is intelligent. No striker can score goals sat on the bench. I think Brett and TK will grab a few goals for us this season.

There aren't many strikers would have tracked back like Pitman to do a an overhead bicycle kick goaline clearance on a cold dark evening at Turf Moor that I witnessed last year..............

Score: 15

coops1965cherry
10:36am Fri 1 Aug 14

Fair play to Pit Bull, he is in good nick apparently and it does look like he is working hard.

He is still only 26 and is one of the most skillful players we have ever produced without a doubt, however a very frustrating player.
I would love to see him really get involved this season because he has applied himself by the looks of it, good luck Brett.

U T C I A D.

Fair play to Pit Bull, he is in good nick apparently and it does look like he is working hard.
He is still only 26 and is one of the most skillful players we have ever produced without a doubt, however a very frustrating player.
I would love to see him really get involved this season because he has applied himself by the looks of it, good luck Brett.
U T C I A D.coops1965cherry

Fair play to Pit Bull, he is in good nick apparently and it does look like he is working hard.

He is still only 26 and is one of the most skillful players we have ever produced without a doubt, however a very frustrating player.
I would love to see him really get involved this season because he has applied himself by the looks of it, good luck Brett.

U T C I A D.

Score: 7

devon fan
9:47am Fri 1 Aug 14

I think the big question will be not is he going to take his chance but will he get his chance

I think the big question will be not is he going to take his chance but will he get his chancedevon fan

I think the big question will be not is he going to take his chance but will he get his chance

Score: 9

RED LETTER DAY
10:00am Fri 1 Aug 14

BRETT lost out last season in favour of Tokelo who cost the club a fair amount of cash. . . . . Pitbull still scored more goals than T K even though he was messed about by the management. . . . Brett is only 26 and still has a lot of goals in him and needs a good run in the team. . .

BRETT lost out last season in favour of Tokelo who cost the club a fair amount of cash. . . . . Pitbull still scored more goals than T K even though he was messed about by the management. . . . Brett is only 26 and still has a lot of goals in him and needs a good run in the team. . .RED LETTER DAY

BRETT lost out last season in favour of Tokelo who cost the club a fair amount of cash. . . . . Pitbull still scored more goals than T K even though he was messed about by the management. . . . Brett is only 26 and still has a lot of goals in him and needs a good run in the team. . .

Score: 11

Square Old Codger
10:34am Fri 1 Aug 14

Like most supporters, I like to see "home grown" talent succeed and would like to see Brett do so, for him and McQuoid, Stockden and Partingdon this is a make or break season which will decide their careers here, I wish them all well and hope that they seize the opportunity Eddie is giving them. Good luck to all of them.

Like most supporters, I like to see "home grown" talent succeed and would like to see Brett do so, for him and McQuoid, Stockden and Partingdon this is a make or break season which will decide their careers here, I wish them all well and hope that they seize the opportunity Eddie is giving them. Good luck to all of them.Square Old Codger

Like most supporters, I like to see "home grown" talent succeed and would like to see Brett do so, for him and McQuoid, Stockden and Partingdon this is a make or break season which will decide their careers here, I wish them all well and hope that they seize the opportunity Eddie is giving them. Good luck to all of them.

Score: 7

holdinkæft
4:05pm Fri 1 Aug 14

Howe said "the door is open for him to do well in our future. The rest is down to him.”
Eddie also feels he is a sulker. lets hope he has changed his ways.
many decent players lose the bit in the teeth attitude, which brings thier career to an early end.

Howe said "the door is open for him to do well in our future. The rest is down to him.”
Eddie also feels he is a sulker. lets hope he has changed his ways.
many decent players lose the bit in the teeth attitude, which brings thier career to an early end.holdinkæft

Howe said "the door is open for him to do well in our future. The rest is down to him.”
Eddie also feels he is a sulker. lets hope he has changed his ways.
many decent players lose the bit in the teeth attitude, which brings thier career to an early end.

Score: -11

redster
11:44am Fri 1 Aug 14

Square Old Codger wrote…

Like most supporters, I like to see "home grown" talent succeed and would like to see Brett do so, for him and McQuoid, Stockden and Partingdon this is a make or break season which will decide their careers here, I wish them all well and hope that they seize the opportunity Eddie is giving them. Good luck to all of them.

very good point re our fringe players!
Would like to see Joe Partington get a decent run he showed real promise and was rated by Eddie,but along came the injuries.

[quote][p][bold]Square Old Codger[/bold] wrote:
Like most supporters, I like to see "home grown" talent succeed and would like to see Brett do so, for him and McQuoid, Stockden and Partingdon this is a make or break season which will decide their careers here, I wish them all well and hope that they seize the opportunity Eddie is giving them. Good luck to all of them.[/p][/quote]very good point re our fringe players!
Would like to see Joe Partington get a decent run he showed real promise and was rated by Eddie,but along came the injuries.redster

Square Old Codger wrote…

Like most supporters, I like to see "home grown" talent succeed and would like to see Brett do so, for him and McQuoid, Stockden and Partingdon this is a make or break season which will decide their careers here, I wish them all well and hope that they seize the opportunity Eddie is giving them. Good luck to all of them.

very good point re our fringe players!
Would like to see Joe Partington get a decent run he showed real promise and was rated by Eddie,but along came the injuries.

Score: 2

BishopforEngland
12:03pm Fri 1 Aug 14

WHYNOT wrote…

If Brett had played the amount of games Grabbon did last season he would have scored more than 22 goals that Grabbon got

I can't agree with that comment. Good squad player but wouldn't have scored more than 22. Tried with Bristol City and got nowhere near that amount of goals

[quote][p][bold]WHYNOT[/bold] wrote:
If Brett had played the amount of games Grabbon did last season he would have scored more than 22 goals that Grabbon got[/p][/quote]I can't agree with that comment. Good squad player but wouldn't have scored more than 22. Tried with Bristol City and got nowhere near that amount of goalsBishopforEngland

WHYNOT wrote…

If Brett had played the amount of games Grabbon did last season he would have scored more than 22 goals that Grabbon got

I can't agree with that comment. Good squad player but wouldn't have scored more than 22. Tried with Bristol City and got nowhere near that amount of goals

Score: 3

Blackandred
12:23pm Fri 1 Aug 14

Well done Brett for putting in the effort pre-season. He certainly has the skill and quality and I hope it all comes together again this season.

I have to say that his last minute goal-line clearance against QPR that gave us the 3 points, despite him only being on the pitch for 30 seconds, is one of my highlights from last season.

Well done Brett for putting in the effort pre-season. He certainly has the skill and quality and I hope it all comes together again this season.
I have to say that his last minute goal-line clearance against QPR that gave us the 3 points, despite him only being on the pitch for 30 seconds, is one of my highlights from last season.Blackandred

Well done Brett for putting in the effort pre-season. He certainly has the skill and quality and I hope it all comes together again this season.

I have to say that his last minute goal-line clearance against QPR that gave us the 3 points, despite him only being on the pitch for 30 seconds, is one of my highlights from last season.

Score: 8

canfordcherry
12:44pm Fri 1 Aug 14

Brett's a confidence player. An early league goal would do wonders for his season.
If it doesn't come then hearing a collective groan from the crowd at his first miss will only make it worse. Back him no matter what and we will get the best from him.

Brett's a confidence player. An early league goal would do wonders for his season.
If it doesn't come then hearing a collective groan from the crowd at his first miss will only make it worse. Back him no matter what and we will get the best from him.canfordcherry

Brett's a confidence player. An early league goal would do wonders for his season.
If it doesn't come then hearing a collective groan from the crowd at his first miss will only make it worse. Back him no matter what and we will get the best from him.

Score: 4

eaststandman
1:25pm Fri 1 Aug 14

BishopforEngland wrote…

WHYNOT wrote…

If Brett had played the amount of games Grabbon did last season he would have scored more than 22 goals that Grabbon got

I can't agree with that comment. Good squad player but wouldn't have scored more than 22. Tried with Bristol City and got nowhere near that amount of goals

Bearing in mind THIRTEEN of Grabbans goals were from the penalty spot.

AND that Bristol City underused him, sold him and GOT RELEGATED

nuff said?

[quote][p][bold]BishopforEngland[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]WHYNOT[/bold] wrote: If Brett had played the amount of games Grabbon did last season he would have scored more than 22 goals that Grabbon got[/p][/quote]I can't agree with that comment. Good squad player but wouldn't have scored more than 22. Tried with Bristol City and got nowhere near that amount of goals[/p][/quote]Bearing in mind THIRTEEN of Grabbans goals were from the penalty spot.
AND that Bristol City underused him, sold him and GOT RELEGATED
nuff said?eaststandman

BishopforEngland wrote…

WHYNOT wrote…

If Brett had played the amount of games Grabbon did last season he would have scored more than 22 goals that Grabbon got

I can't agree with that comment. Good squad player but wouldn't have scored more than 22. Tried with Bristol City and got nowhere near that amount of goals

Bearing in mind THIRTEEN of Grabbans goals were from the penalty spot.

AND that Bristol City underused him, sold him and GOT RELEGATED

nuff said?

Score: 0

Fanfor45
2:49pm Fri 1 Aug 14

Good afternoon to you all. I’m certainly feeling a bit closer to season start now that I’ve had tickets for my first two home games –Rotherham and Wigan- delivered. If I could offer a view on the Striker options for this season. The key here is Kermogant. My belief is that he is such a cultured player he would get the best out of any of the potential partners he will be linked up with. All them have undeniable talent but the choice lies with E.H./J.T. I think we might be surprised by two things this season; 1. Who starts with the Frenchman and more importantly 2. How much we will miss him if he gets injured. Now, for me it’s down to a listening brief until 13th Sept but for all of you going to games before then…..Good luck and have a great season.

Good afternoon to you all. I’m certainly feeling a bit closer to season start now that I’ve had tickets for my first two home games –Rotherham and Wigan- delivered. If I could offer a view on the Striker options for this season. The key here is Kermogant. My belief is that he is such a cultured player he would get the best out of any of the potential partners he will be linked up with. All them have undeniable talent but the choice lies with E.H./J.T. I think we might be surprised by two things this season; 1. Who starts with the Frenchman and more importantly 2. How much we will miss him if he gets injured. Now, for me it’s down to a listening brief until 13th Sept but for all of you going to games before then…..Good luck and have a great season.Fanfor45

Good afternoon to you all. I’m certainly feeling a bit closer to season start now that I’ve had tickets for my first two home games –Rotherham and Wigan- delivered. If I could offer a view on the Striker options for this season. The key here is Kermogant. My belief is that he is such a cultured player he would get the best out of any of the potential partners he will be linked up with. All them have undeniable talent but the choice lies with E.H./J.T. I think we might be surprised by two things this season; 1. Who starts with the Frenchman and more importantly 2. How much we will miss him if he gets injured. Now, for me it’s down to a listening brief until 13th Sept but for all of you going to games before then…..Good luck and have a great season.

Score: 1

Cherryfan
6:44pm Fri 1 Aug 14

Would you play Brett instead of Yann or our new replacement for Grabben? Not in my opinion. perhaps a good player to keep in the background if either get injured. But would he be happy with that?

Would you play Brett instead of Yann or our new replacement for Grabben? Not in my opinion. perhaps a good player to keep in the background if either get injured. But would he be happy with that?Cherryfan

Would you play Brett instead of Yann or our new replacement for Grabben? Not in my opinion. perhaps a good player to keep in the background if either get injured. But would he be happy with that?

Ipsoregulated

This website and associated newspapers adhere to the Independent Press Standards Organisation's Editors' Code of Practice. If you have a complaint about the editorial content which relates to inaccuracy or intrusion, then please contact the editor here. If you are dissatisfied with the response provided you can contact IPSO here